OVERCOME BY FUMES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 223, 21 June 1928, Page 11

OVERCOME BY FUMES

LIVES OF FIREMEN ENDANGERED OUTBREAK IN FILM ROOM When the Fire Brigade were called out to a blaze in the printing room ot the Famous Lasky Film Service (N.Z.), Ltd., on the top floor of the Crown Building, at the corner of Cuba and Dixon Streets, at 8.19 a.m. yesterday, it was found that the men had to combat deadly fumes. An engine with six firemen was hurried to the building, but when the men endeavoured to get into the room, they were all overcome by the fumes, and had to be carried out into the street. The condition of Deputy-Superintend-ent F. B. Clarke, and Fireman J. Philps was so bad that they had to be taken to the hospital. Station-Officer W. Lcdbrook and Firemen J. C. Wright, F. Ben nett, and G. A. Everett were taken, to the central station, and made a satisfactory recovery later. A second engine was dispatched to the fire, which gave the appearance of having been smouldering for some time. The blaze was extinguished by means of chemicals. It is understood that the fire started, in a heap of waste paper and rubbish which was in the centre of the room, afterwards spreading to a table on which were gummed labels, advertising matter and slides. Fortunately there were no films in the room. From what can be gathered, the fumes arising from the burning material contained a large percentage of carbon monoxide gas. The Crown Building, which is owned by Messrs. T. Richardson, G. Living! and J. McGill, ’is insured iu the Northern Assurance Co., Ltd., for £25,000. The contents of the famcns Lasky Film Ser vice are insured'for £4250 in various companies. Both Deputy-Superintendent Clarke and Fireman Philps arc progressing favourably.

The manager of the Crown Studios wishes clients to know that no damage was done to the studios or work-rooms by the lire in the Crown building. All stock negatives arc safe.—Adyt.